Capitol Place parking vendor to give overpayment refunds

Question: I thought that because Capitol Place was built on a municipal parking lot, it was required to charge municipal rates for public parking. However, the parking vendor installed a machine to collect parking fees which neither accepts coins nor gives change. As a result, if you are paying in cash, you have to pay more than the posted rates. Given the previous agreement to limit rates, it seems unfair to require those using the lot to use a credit card or pay more than the posted rates.

Answer: You’re correct.

Anyone who overpaid for parking at Capitol Place, at 1200 Queen Emma St., since the new electronic payment system was installed can request a refund.

The amount of overpayment varies, but appears to be between 25 cents and 75 cents, according to Ross Sasamura, director of the city Department of Facility Maintenance.

At last count, there were a total of 56 transactions amounting to $32 in overpayments.

Diamond Parking Service took over management of parking at Capitol Place on Oct. 1, installing equipment that accepted payment only by credit card or paper currency, with a pay-by-cellphone option also available, Sasamura said.

However, beginning March 1, the electronic pay station also will accept coins, he said.

Patrons who overpaid to park at Capitol Place from Oct. 1 until the pay station begins accepting coins may request reimbursement from Diamond Parking.

There are no signs indicating refunds. Instead, a posted sign reads, “No Refund or Change Given,” Sasamura said.

“However, the parking management firm is extending an offer for refunds of overpayment upon request during the time the equipment that did not accept coins was in operation,” he said.

Diamond Parking will review requests on a case-by-case basis using information recorded by the pay station and other devices on the premises, Sasamura said. “All requests should include pertinent information and details.”

Asked whether the company faced any consequences for the overpayments, Sasamura said, “Not at this time. The matter is under review.”

Question: Whatever happened to the old “Hawaii Five-0” TV series with Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett and James MacArthur as Danno? It used to be on KHET. (Combination of three inquiries.)

Answer: For cable TV subscribers in Hawaii, it can be seen at noon weekdays on MeTV (Memorable Entertainment Television), which is Channel 126 on Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Channel 19 on Hawaiian Telcom Television, and on Channel 4.2 on DirecTV and DISH.

According to its website, metvnetwork.com/, the original series also is available “over the air for free with a digital tuner and antenna” on KITV Channel 4.2.

MeTV runs “classic shows from the 50s through 80s,” including “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” “Dragnet,” “My Three Sons,” “Bonanza,” “Petticoat Junction,” “Daniel Boone,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “M*A*S*H,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” “Perry Mason” and “The Twilight Zone.”

Mahalo

To our firefighters. I was at Maunawili Park in Kailua to watch my granddaughter’s soccer game on Saturday, Jan. 25. Shortly after noon, an HFD truck arrived and game officials were told the field would have to be cleared for the HFD rescue helicopter to land. It arrived, the rescue basket was hooked up and it headed toward the Koolaus. When it returned with the victim, the basket was perfectly placed on the ground, the helicopter landed and the victim was taken away in the waiting ambulance. We see clips of these operations on TV, but it was special to witness the whole rescue mission from start to completion. Seeing the teamwork of the personnel on the ground and the superb flying skills of the pilot is something I will not soon forget. Mahalo nui to our firefighters for their professionalism and willingness to lay their lives on the line for our safety. Finally, I’m sure all who were there join me in wishing well to the individual rescued. — Chuck Schrader

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